Some 30,000 individuals are protected every year, which is, relatively speaking, the largest figure in the world. If you're suggesting that we have to accept genuine refugees, potential asylum claimants from Mexico, why not accept those from China, Cuba and all the countries of the world? We are imposing a visa obligation on 142 countries. If we have to eliminate that obligation for the Mexican so they can file a claim, why not do it for the other 141 countries? Are you suggesting that Canadian taxpayers are required to accept tens of millions of potential asylum claimants in the world?
That's ridiculous. We must offer the victims of persecution a humanitarian settlement system as part of an immigration system for which we have established guidelines. We accept genuine refugees, as determined by the UN. Our asylum system is very generous and we must maintain it. However, I don't agree that we should eliminate the obligation that asylum seekers from all countries must obtain a visa—